Asheville Christmas Activities, Lighting of the Green, A-B Tech

Asheville Christmas – Lighting on the Green at A-B Tech

A-B Technical College’s “Fernihurst” will host the second annual Lighting of the Green for delightful Asheville Christmas Activities, open and free to the public. Fernihurst was once the center of the township Victoria, which is now in a downtown Asheville neighborhood atop a knoll on Victoria Road, in the midst of Asheville-Buncombe Technical College (A-B Tech) and home to the Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality.

Fernihurst was restord in 2008

Colonel John Kerr Connally and his wife Alice Thomas Connally built Fernihurst in 1876 and named it after the Kerr castle in Scotland. Entertainment did abound in the heyday of Fernihurst and the Connally’s hosted as many as 500 guests, including the Vanderbilt family. Urban legend has it that when George Vanderbilt first saw the Fernihurst Manor and its views, he immediately attempted to buy it; when he was turned down by the Connallys, he purchased all the land on either side of the Swanannoa and French Broad Rivers (the property which is now home to the Biltmore Estate) and bought the property neighboring Fernihurst. Later, Sunnicrest was built next to Fernihurst by the Vanderbilts, and today the two homes are connected by a breezeway and are both part of the Brumit Center for Culinary Arts and Hospitality.

The Culinary center at AB Tech trains student chefs and restaurant managers; one may even reserve a dinner to be served there by the students, allegedly excellent dining! The Lighting of the Green will show off Fernihurst decked in Christmas finery and lights. The area will be lit now through the 20th of December (when the campus closes for the Holiday). Fernihurst will be open and is free to the public for special events and tours on Tuesdays and Fridays, December 13 through 20th from 6-8 pm, so a great time to get a free peek at Fernihurst and enjoy light snacks, leisurely tours, crafts for the children and delightful local family friendly entertainment:

Entry foyer to Fernihurst at A-B Tech

Tuesday December 13 – AC Reynolds Madrigal Singers

Friday December 16 – AB-Tech’s Music Department and storytelling by David Novak

For more information about Fernihurst, Lighting on the Green, or dining reservations, call Susan E. Haldane, the Special Events Coordinator of the A-B Tech Foundation. 828 254-1967 X7567.

One of the beautiful rooms at Fernihurst

And if you are looking for Asheville, NC lodging, a pet friendly Asheville cabins, Asheville vacation rental, or an Asheville NC Bed and Breakfast, call 828 994-2627, Vacation In Asheville, for lodging information and reservations. Also Oakland Cottage Bed and Breakfast of Vacation In Asheville is within walking distance to the A-B Tech campus, with family friendly B&B rooms and suites, and pet friendly B&B rooms and suites, just 1 mile to the entrance to the Biltmore Estate and 2 miles south of Asheville’s historic downtown center, just off Biltmore Avenue.